The Los Angeles Lakers finally caught a break in the health department this week-at least for a moment.
Austin Reaves made his long-awaited return Tuesday night against the Brooklyn Nets after missing over a month with a gastrocnemius strain. And by Thursday, it was clear he wasn’t easing back in.
Reaves looked every bit like the player Lakers fans have come to rely on, erupting for 35 points on a hyper-efficient 12-of-17 shooting night against the Philadelphia 76ers. The burst, the shot-making, the confidence-it was all there.
For a team that’s been juggling lineups and leaning heavily on its stars, seeing Reaves back in rhythm was a major boost.
But just as the Lakers started to resemble something close to full strength, the injury bug struck again.
Luka Dončić exited Thursday’s matchup in the second quarter with a leg injury and didn’t return. The team later confirmed it’s a left hamstring strain, and he’s already been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Golden State Warriors. That’s a tough pill to swallow, especially with Dončić playing at an All-NBA level this season and serving as a critical engine for the Lakers' offense.
There is, however, some cautious optimism coming out of the Lakers' camp. According to reports, the early read on Dončić’s hamstring is that it’s not a major issue.
That’s encouraging, but with hamstring injuries, there’s always a level of unpredictability. Even the mild ones can linger if not managed carefully.
Meanwhile, newly acquired sharpshooter Luke Kennard-brought in via trade on Thursday-is listed as questionable for Saturday. Kennard’s shooting could be a difference-maker for a Lakers team that’s been inconsistent from beyond the arc this season. But whether he suits up right away remains to be seen.
Rookie forward Adou Thiero is still sidelined as he works his way back from an MCL injury, further thinning the Lakers' depth in the frontcourt.
The timing of these injuries isn’t ideal. The Lakers are about to embark on a seven-game homestand, which should offer some stability-but the schedule won’t be forgiving. They’ll host the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, followed by a back-to-back against the red-hot San Antonio Spurs the very next night.
So while Reaves’ return is a huge step in the right direction, the Lakers are once again in a holding pattern-waiting on health updates, adjusting rotations, and trying to stay afloat in a brutally competitive Western Conference. The margin for error is razor-thin, and every game matters.
One thing’s for sure: If the Lakers want to make a serious push down the stretch, they’ll need more than a glimpse of full health. They’ll need consistency, continuity, and a little bit of good fortune-something that’s been in short supply this season.